Wednesday 21 March 2012

WEARABLE VINTAGE FASHION & SECONDHAND AND VINTAGE LONDON

I have a lot of books at home about art, design, vintage and fashion, and also titles on all of those combined. Which I always thought would be nice to feature in posts (although few posts have seen the, how would you say it, light of the world wide web so far...)

My latest book is by Jo Waterhouse and Clare Bridge, Wearable Vintage Fashion, a book I had been waiting for but then forgot about until it came up in an email conversation and then down the mail slot in my door.


The authors of the book are vintage enthusiasts and run a vintage store in the UK; Secondhand Rose. The book covers fashion styles from the 1920's to the 80's in perhaps a little different way than we are used to see vintage fashion being represented; quite down to earth, rather practical. The book does not present items that designer pieces photographed at a museum nor is it illustrated with vintage fashion editorials and adverts, but the clothing pictured are from the authors' vintage store or borrowed from friends and relatives, items that have really been worn or are in use. The photos in the book are also of friends and relatives, shots from real life.




Each decade is presented with some text and key items for both daily and fancier wear, the over-all style presented. What I like is that also items from different decades are brought up when discussing a certain style, not ruling anything out. Like some seventies pieces that fit 30's style and 80's goes 50's or example, showing how fashion recycles itself and how you can take advantages of different periods when trying to recreate a look for everyday wear. The book also recreates one style icon per decade in a don't-take-it too-seriously kind of way, with good tips for masquerades or theme parties.

In the end there is a section of street style, with what I am sure will be a lot of familiar faces for many of you. And why did I mention I had been know about the book to coming out?


Well, that's since yours truly is also featured in a spread :)

At the same time as Wearable Vintage Fashion I also got a guide book on vintage shopping in London; Seconhand and Vintage London by Andrew Whittaker:

When I was in my later teens the thing for me and my friends was to move to London after school was over. We saw movies like London Kills Me and read UK magazines, listened to brit pop. Well, dreams changed, none of us moved there. In fact, I haven't even been threre. Yet.
But anyway, most people find London a good city for vintage shopping and thrifting. So when I do get to go there to dig in on the selection this guidebook will come in handy -  Secondhand and Vintage London is part of a shopping guide series being made (so far  a Berlin version is also available, which I'd like to see as I have had the chance to browse stores over there a few times and have many trips there yet to make again).

The book is divided in sections, like Clothes & Accessories, Books & Music, Home &Garden etc, and each section is organized according to stores per area.  There are over a hundred shops and markets featured. The stores are labelled according to a three-step price scale.

Both books are published by Vivays (- they have quite many books on art and vintage!).
You can't order the books directly from the publisher but find them on Amazon for example.

And, and, in honour of finishing off my "give away week" (which I intended to do last week already but that a nasty flu stopped me from), one of you will have a chance to win either one of these books according to your choice!

To enter, leave me a comment on this post, and let me know which of the books you would be interested in. As usual, this is open to everyone out there. The winner will be drawn randomly which means only one comment per person (and once again, make sure I can reach you trough that comment)! If you however mention and link this give away somewhere out there on the interwebs you can leeave me annother comment showing me you'v done so, which of course will give you another entry.
The give away will be open for one week; until Wednesday March 28th.

89 comments:

Sarah Jane said...

Ooh I like the look of the first book best. Consider me entered!

Dagmara Łacny said...

I really would like to have Wearable Vintage Fahsion - it looks really cool!

Anni said...

The wearable vintage fashion book would be a great addition to my book collection! ;)

Ginny said...

I really like the look of Wearable Vintage Fashion. All too often vintage fashion books are geared towards the designer/collectors side.

laceduplady@hotmail.com

Nora said...

Ooh, the first book, Wearable Vintage Fashion, looks neat. (Though I wouldn't mind the second one either. ;) )

♥ Agatha ♥ said...

The Wearable Vintage Fahsion book would suit perfectly among my other books !!! I'm in ^^ !

eve.dieuleveut@etu.u-bordeaux1.fr

Sarah said...

The wearable vintage books looks amazing!

But honestly I'd be happy with either. :)

ihanuudet by fleure said...

I also like the first book.It really looks so good.

Fräulein Kitsch said...

I'd really love the Wearable Vintage Fashion book - it looks great!

Anja said...

gee, i would love to own wearable vintage fashion thank you very much!

amajnari @ gmail.com

Lisa Marie said...

Wearable Vintage Fashion looks great! xo
Lisa --- lostbronx51@aol.com

Brighton Zecide said...

Iiiiiiih! Awesome! If I don't win I'll absolutely buy Wearable Vintage Fashion Myself ^.^

/Nanna

work.nanna (at) gmail.com

Maja said...

Oh what a great give away! I'd love to have the Wearable Vintage Fahsion-book as it is already in my cart at amazon (where the other one is too)

Anne Kirstine Toft Jørgensen said...

Cool! I would like the wearable vintage fashion book...I have allready bought the other one ;)

Anushka said...

These look like fun books! please enter me for the l london vintage guide :) byanushka @ gmail.com

Slawka Grabowska. Donostia Book Club said...

I like both, but Wearable Vintage Fashion looks more interesting! My email: slawkagra @ gmail.com

Wiebke said...

Looks like two great books that are definitely going ot my wishlist.
I would love to win "Wearable Vintage Fashion"

Best Regards from Germany

Kit said...

Ooh, I'd love the Secondhand and Vintage Shopping in London book!

Anonymous said...

I'd really love to have Wearable Vintage Fashion! It looks so interesting! Great giveaway!!

barracones7@hotmail.com

Adele said...

Since I don't live in London, I think the first one is more up my street.
Lovely post, as usual :)

Irac said...

Oooo both books are so amazing! It's so hard to decide which one I'd like more... I guess it would be the Second hand London, it's always handy to have such books :)

Becca said...

wearable vintage book? You mean a book that shows clothes that are available for the average girl? colour me surprised! Not knocking other vintage books but sometimes they all feel a bit out of reach.

Anonymous said...

Great reviews! I would love to win a copy of Wearable Vintage Fashion.

Christina said...

What a week! I love the pictures of the first book! The page of dresses really won me over :D.Oh, and of course the unbeatable advatage of having you in it. So please, I'd like to win Wearable Vintage Fashion.

christina herrlichkeiten net

Kat said...

I would love a copy of wearable vintage fashion.

Miss Tallulah Porkchop said...

I want a signed copy.

Darling, did you ever get my address?

ReVamp Vixen said...

Another entry for Wearable Vintage Fashion!

Lovely giveaway.

Sarah said...

Secondhand and Vintage London would be really useful to me! Thanks so much for the giveaway.
s (dot) sharrock (at) gmail (dot) com

Emma Litton said...

Oh how lovely! I'd love Wearable Vintage Fashion. So neat that you were featured!

xo,
Em

Anonymous said...

I'd love Wearable Vintage fashion!
marisa-emma@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

I'd love wearable vintage fashion.

- Eve

(once again, I wish not to publish my e-mail here. If I win, I'll send you my e-mail address.)

Vicky Sue said...

Oh, I'm so in! The wearable vintage book seems great!

Lola said...

These books are lovely! I'd love to add 'wearable vintage fashion' to my collection on my book shelves.
And you should really visit London, if you can someday. It's worth it! Lola

maam_phizz@alice.de

Alexandra said...

I'm in for both books! Don't really live in London but would be useful for my next trip :)

Clem said...

Seems my first comment didn't work, I'll write it again, sorry if it appears twice... Thanks for the contest! Both books look great, and I'm going to London for Easter, but the trip itself made me broke :-) so not to be tempted by the Ldn vintage shopping, I'll have the wearable vintage fashion book! Have a nice day!

Elina said...

Oh I ordered my own copy of Wearable Vintage Fashion for some time ago - so nice to hear it's out and you're in! Can't wait to see my copy! :) So if I'm lucky in this giveaway I'll choose Secondhand & Vintage London.

rachied said...

Wearabel Vintgae Fahsion seems like a very interesting book would like to get my hands on one lol thanks

GinCherry said...

I prefer the first one :) It looks really interesting :)

From Ashes To Lashes said...

Hehe, I´ll join the majority and say Wearable Vintage Fashion, cause I think shopping in London is a bit far fetched for me right now. Both seem lovely though.

Radka said...

Great reviews, both books looks great, I would love to win the first one.

Myrtle Beau Regard said...

Thanks to you, I bought a new book :-)

venturavogue said...

These books are lovely! I'd love to add 'wearable vintage fashion' to my collection on my book shelves.
And you should really visit London, if you can someday.

Nene said...

Vilka fina böcker! Jag gillar den första bäst, men vilken som av dem skulle göra sig fint i hyllan!

nene.ormes [at] gmail.com

Matilda said...

The first book looks so fab, I love it!

curedolly [at] hotmail.com

ina said...

Am I perhaps the photographer of one of the pictures? :)

Elena said...

I wish I could have the Wearable Vintage Fahsion ! I'll give it a try!! eletov22@yahoo.com

Beebee said...

Wearable Vintage Fashion would be a great read for a rainy spring day! :)

ilopilleri93@hotmail.com

Ten-over Tap said...

Hello,

I'm quite interested by the "Wearable Vintage Fashion" as I've got already my very own London vintage adress book...
So I'm in...

Anne

Unknown said...

The first book looks wonderful! Thanks :)

Andrea said...

I would love to have the Wearable Vintage Fashion book, please enter me!

Piia said...

I'm traveling to London in May so I would love to win the "Seconhand and Vintage London" though the "Wearable vintage" sounds also marvelous.

Astrid S said...

I'd love Secondhand and Vintage Shopping in London!

You can reach me on astridsjogren[at]gmail.com

Cheers!

Ylva said...

Thanks for good book recommendations. Some of them will soon be in a little library in the middle of Helsinki - for people to borrow and some of them in my bookshelf at home

-Iiris- said...

Hei! Jos onni suosisi, niin ensimmäistä kirjaa toivoisin.

Grande Mama said...

The first book please

Maritha said...

Ooooh, lovely giveaway! I would absolutely love to own the Wearable Vintage Fashion, I've been drooling over it for a long time! maritha.bostrom at gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I am fascinated by the first book! Thanks for the giveaway, so lovely :)

-iliana
irdesign@live.com

Elina said...

I'm in! Both books look lovley, but I think I'll need the first one more :)

Jenny Flamingo said...

The Wearable Vintage Fahsion book for me please ♥ Crossed fingers
cherryvegzombie@voila.fr

Dina said...

Oh, Wearable vintage fashion looks great! I might have to buy it anyway if I don't win!

dina_ts@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

Wearable Vintage Fashion looks like a book after my own heart! I'd love to win this.
EliseHarris85@gmail.com

Nelly said...

I was intending to go to a Vintage and Nostalgia Festival in Kurri Kurri (Australia) this weekend (even have all my outfits laid out) but unfortunately can't, so I'm getting my fix here with you! Thanks for the brilliant blog! I'd been keen for the wearable vintage fashion book too by the way:)

danielleabbott@hotmail.com

Lauren said...

Oooh I'd love the Wearable Vintage book! It looks like a fab find!

Elina said...

I would love Wearable Vintage Fashion book the best.

Starrfade said...

I absolutely love that first book, Wearable Vintage. I've inherited my grandmother's wardrobe (30's through 70's) and would love to learn how to incorporate it into mine ^_^

annalaura(dot)sloan(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Wearable Vintage Fashion, please!!

Sue

suesnyderis(at)yahoo(dot)ca

Purrfect Kat said...

I'd love to win the wearable Vintage book! thank you so much for such a cool giveway!

Anonymous said...

Wearable Vintage fashion, yes please!
cauleypowell@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Oh, Wearable Vintage Fashion, please! :)

Liisa
lhr@luukku.com

Miss Boston Mac said...

Would love to have Wearable Vintage Fashion! It looks great.

Thanks for the chance at all these giveaways!

jpmcenerney(at)earthlink.net

Saba said...

Ooh the Wearable Vintage Fashion book looks amazing! I imagine it is incredibly useful (and I would of course love to win it in this giveaway!).

Very cool that you are featured in the book too!

Caroline said...

Åh den första låter ju superkul! Count me in!

Ms.Heather said...

Ooohhh... The Wearable Vintage Fashion book looks amazing!

marika said...

Hei Ulrika!

Wearable Vintage Fashionia toivoisin!

Oikein paljon onnea... söpö masu:)

Emily said...

Oh my gosh, Wearable Vintage Fashion looks amazing! That would definitely be my choice :)

Anonymous said...

Sadly I don't think I will get to London (from Australia) anytime soon, however Wearable Vintage I can read with a cup of tea here. Claire ge.it@hotmail.com

Lou said...

It would have to be Wearable Vintage Fashion. Dont do so much thifting in London,too much hard work.

Kendra said...

I'd love a copy of Wearable Vintage Fashion, if I'm chosen. I also love your style and your witty, funny take on life. Thanks!

Susannakaarina said...

London calling April 18th!! Opaskirja olis todella tarpeen. Olen tehnyt jo hillitöntä googlaamista, mutta tuollainen opus olisi lahja taivaalta :)

Rockabilly Redhead said...

I'd really like to win the Wearable Vintage Fashion book! I've been to London last week and the shopping there's great, you should reall go there one day!

*thumbs up*

Love,
Emmy
legsie11@gmail.com

Just Mugsy said...

I'd love the Wearable Vintage Fashion book! But I've also been dying for a reason to visit my friend Leah in London...maybe the second book is just the ticket.

I recommended your blog on both my facebook pages as well as my blog!

You're style is inspiring, I hope to encourage many others to "follow" you!

Anonymous said...

Ooh! Oon juuri lähdössä Lontooseen parin viikon päästä ja oon miettinyt, että täytyy nyt ottaa selvää vintage-paikoista! Lontoon-kirja olisi siis täydellinen! :)

elli-noora@lunki.net

Maria said...

Ooh, I would love a copy of Wearable Vintage Fashion! I added it to my Amazon Wish List before I saw you were giving it away. =) weddingfund [at] hotmail [dot] com.

Maria said...

I also tweeted about the giveaway: https://twitter.com/#!/DIpharmacist/status/187606514486349824 Thanks! weddingfund [at] hotmail [dot] com.

Anonymous said...

Count me in for these :X

and also whats here
http://www.facebook.com/saffronfashions

Anonymous said...

Hey love, who are the lucky winners? :)

Lorraine R. Millican said...

Cute fashion sense! I like it! I really wished I was included here :)

Bartholomew said...

Ooh I like the look of the first book best. Consider me entered!
Second Hand Vans

Georgiana said...

I love vintage clothes, the fabric and sewing is of much higher quality than things I would buy in a normal shop for the same price. I also enjoy shopping in secondhandsbecause I can find there treasures for a good price and it is also better for our planet ;)